Sick and injured children being treated in the Urgent Care Centre at Burnley General Teaching Hospital are feeling less stressed and more comfortable thanks to a generous donation of Teddies for Loving Care [TLC] from Burnley and Pendle District Freemasons.
"Thanks to the Freemasons, the TLC Teddies in the Urgent Care Centre have benefitted hundreds of children over many years by relieving distress and taking away the worry of being surrounded by strangers," says Age UK Officer, Yvonne Dwyer.
"The kids love them, and the staff find them really useful to build a rapport with children and their parents.
“And the best part is that the children are free to take their TLC Teddy home with them after treatment."
Over the past decade, the Freemasons have visited our local hospitals every couple of months, each time donating 72 TLC bears to help take children’s minds off their illnesses and injuries.
As a result, the Freemasons’ 10-year association with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has seen in excess of 6,500 TLC Bears delivered to the A&E and urgent care centres at Burnley General and Royal Blackburn teaching hospitals.
"A TLC Teddy benefits a child in so many ways. Nurses and doctors can use it to befriend a worried child, give it as a reward for being brave and use it to demonstrate the medical procedure they are going to do," says Burnley and Pendle Freemasons Charity Steward, Keith Jackson.
Just £5 buys two TLC Teddies for sick and injured children, and donations can be made online at www.tlcappeal.org/